Quick Tip: 7.62x51 NATO vs .308 Winchester - What's the Diff?

Our Brownells Firearm Support Technician with the skinny, Caleb Savant, is back to talk about two popular rifle cartridges: .308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO. Most shooters know that both rounds have the same external dimensions. In fact, the military 7.62x51 was developed from the civilian .308 Winchester. So... Can they be used interchangeably? The 7.62x51 cartridge can be fired from any rifle chambered in .308 Winchester because the 7.62 develops lower pressure than the .308, but... DO NOT fire the higher-pressure .308 Win in a 7.62 NATO rifle. The 7.62x51 chamber is slightly longer, and the cartridge's case is a bit thicker, so it will "flow" and expand into the extra space. With its thinner brass, the .308 case can't flow and might rupture. NOTE: Some newer rifles with 7.62x51 NATO chambers ARE made to handle .308 Win ammo. Check the owner's manual or contact your rifle's manufacturer to find out for sure.

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